Rockford City Market landscape to change

ROCKFORD - The landscape of Rockford City Market could change by the time shoppers return to the popular downtown event this spring.

City officials are working on plans to demolish the downtown parking deck where thousands of people gather for Rockford City Market during warmer weather months. The two-level Water Street deck would be razed and replaced with a surface parking lot. The move is seen as both a cheaper option than making the structural repairs the deck will eventually need and more conducive to the growing City Market.

"We're excited about the possibility of some new infrastructure there," said Cathy McDermott, Rock River Development Partnership administrator and City Market manager. "It will definitely create a better flow and make it easier for people to move around the market."

Aldermen will be asked Monday to OK reallocating $200,000 in state River Edge Re-Development Zone funds to cover the cost of demolition, a preliminary step in the plan to raze the deck. City officials are working with the Rock River Development Partnership and nearby businesses to create a surface parking lot that can double as a market square.

The plan, pending City Council action, is to have the deck razed and a temporary surface in place by the time 2014 City Market season begins on May 30.

Additional enhancements to the market area, such as lighting upgrades and other architectural amenities, would be finished after the market closes for the season on Oct. 17.

"That way we can vet through a design with some of the stakeholders in the downtown area over what that should look like," said Matt Vitner, city engineer.

Some of the amenities that would be considered are electrical outlets for vendors, lighting fixtures, water, gateway arches at City Market entrances, and sidewalk improvements.

Rockford City Market has grown every year since its debut in 2009. It drew 75,463 visitors in 2013, a 32 percent increase over 2012.

"The RRDP has done a great job with the outdoor market. We want to participate with them and see that continue," Vitner said.

Tearing down the deck is seen as a less expensive option than long-term maintenance. It would cost the city about $750,000 to make structural repairs needed in the next 3-5 years to bring it up to standard, said Pat Zuroske, the city's capital program manager.

Downtown parking is at a premium, particularly west of the Rock River. City officials don't think tearing down the east-side Water Street deck will exacerbate any problems with people finding space. The Water Street deck has 104 spaces, but the city sells just 29 parking permits for it, Zuroske said.

"The deck is totally underutilized. The top level rarely has parking throughout the day," Zuroske said. "Certainly the surface lot would more than accommodate 29 spaces, plus visitor parking."